Humor
A Frank Conversation With Ray LaHood
In this 'anything-goes' Q & A between the NYT Magazine with Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, we learn about the derivation of his name, the car he drives, and more appropriate topics liks HSR, infrastructure, and George Will.
The New York Times - Magazine
Friday Funny: Detroit's Newest Slum Unveiled
The Onion reports on the "window-shattering ceremony" officially opening Detroit's newest slum, a neighborhood designed with the "latest in high-risk, hopelessly impoverished housing options."
The Onion
Quirky Bus Stops Across the World
This slide show includes pictures of unorthodox bus stops all over the world, including Yellowstone National Park, Estonia, Japan and Brazil.
Toxel.com
Pedestrian Sprawl Alert: Streets Gone Wild
Mon, 04/13/2009 - 11:19
Once upon a time public rights-of-way were simpler; they made sense. The mobile laws of society were black and white. Streets were for cars and sidewalks were for, well, walking on the side of the street. You know, out of the way? At some point recently though things have started to blur, and it's starting to get just a little bit out of control. It's hard to put one's finger on it, but lately there's been this funny notion that the street itself, long the gift to man-and-machine, is supposed to be shared with people who just can't seem to keep themselves on their side of the curb. Woe is me, in some instances there isn't even a curb anymore! What's worse, it seems apparent that our public officials, the very people we elect to represent us an
Friday Funny: Moscow Dogs Commute via Subway
Dogs in Moscow have learned to ride the subway to and from "work".
English Russia
Lighter Moments -- A Hardship Variance
Fri, 04/10/2009 - 12:47
DISCLAIMER: This is a true story, but I do not pretend that it has great social significance. Just one of those many "lighter moments" in a planning career.
I was in my home state of Colorado, at a zoning board meeting. I do not recall why I was there (it must have worked out satisfactorily, or I would remember). I do remember one case that the board heard, however.
Friday Funny: Building the Nation Out of the Crisis
This piece from The Onion presents the incredibly simple solution to the nation's economic troubles: build more houses.
The Onion
White House Urban Affairs Agenda Based on Late-Night Sim City Game
It has been revealed that the White House's Urban Affairs Agenda is entirely based on a late-night round of the computer game "Sim City", played by President Barack Obama and Urban Affairs Secretary Adolfo Carrion.
Planetizen April 1st Edition
Closed Wal-Mart Re-Used for New Wal-Mart
The economic recession has caused a shakedown in the retail sector, and retail powerhouse Wal-Mart has been forced to close many outlets. One city has found an innovative solution to the empty big box building left behind: put in a new Wal-Mart.
Planetizen April 1st Edition
One Acronym Too Many
While completing a DEIR for the CCC on a BRT for a TND TOD, environmental planner Linda Gorman, MURP, AICP contracted acronym poisoning and had to be rushed to the hospital.
Planetizen April 1st Edition
High Speed Rail Funding Dedicated Solely to Disneyland Monorail Improvements
The entire $8 billion set aside in the federal stimulus plan for high speed rail has been dedicated towards improvements on the Disneyland Monorail, a 2.5-mile train system in Anaheim, California.
Planetizen April 1st Edition
Hardcore New Urbanist Can't Stop Mixing Uses
Bradley Archer, a long-time champion of New Urbanist principles, spends nearly every waking hour finding a way to get two, maybe three, uses out of everything.
Planetizen April 1st Edition
Foreclosed Homes To Be Counted As Race in 2010 Census
Officials at the U.S. Census Bureau announced today that foreclosed homes had seen such an increase in numbers over the past two years that they would be included as an official race in the upcoming 2010 Census.
Planetizen April 1st Edition
City Officials Favor 'Stupid Growth'
Officials in Shelbyville, Kentucky are officially adopting a citywide "Stupid Growth" policy. The city plans to release the new Shelbyville Stupid Growth General Plan, which emphasizes "building whatever."
Planetizen April 1st Edition
Godzilla Named Tokyo Planning Director, Announces Broad Urban Renewal Plan
Legendary gigantic lizard monster Godzilla has been named planning director for the city of Tokyo. Shortly after his appointment, Mr. Zilla revealed his urban renewal program by smashing through buildings and stomping across entire city blocks.
Planetizen April 1st Edition
Resident Demands 'Everything in My Back Yard'
The public comment period at a recent planning commission meeting in Wheaton, Illinois was commandeered by resident Joann Davies, who aggressively demanded that a variety of land uses be approved in her neighborhood.
Planetizen April 1st Edition
Friday Funny: Historic, or Just Plain Lewd?
Hoare Road, East Breast, and North Piddle are actual place names that get a chuckle out of most people. But when it comes to the more "aesthetically unsuitable" names, feelings are divided.
The New York Times
Friday Funny: Traffic Engineers Accommodate Cell Phone Users
In a new twist of "managed lanes", this comic looks at ways to accommodate cell phone users so as not to affect those not using their cells.
Go Comics
One Woman's Confession: "I Hate Suburbia"
Turning the page back to 1965, a woman confesses in Ladys Circle Magazine that she hates the suburbs. 'It isn't just monotony; it's stagnation!', she exclaims.
Lady's Circle (Posted by ModernMechanix.com)
